Madam,

We have taken note of your email of January 27th concerning the creation of a bill to introduce vegan options in public canteens and your request for a meeting addressed to Ms. Danielle McCann, Minister of Health and Social Services.

There is no Quebec or Canadian data available on the proportion of the population that is vegetarian or vegan. Moreover, the orientations of the food reference frameworks currently in effect in health and social services institutions, schools and educational childcare services encourage the inclusion of a variety of healthy foods, including those containing plant-based proteins.

Given these elements, it does not appear justified at this time to create a bill to require the introduction of a variety of vegan options in Quebec’s public canteens. We will therefore not follow up on your request for a meeting.

Please accept, Madam, the expression of our best feelings.

The National Director of Public Health

and Assistant Deputy Minister,

Horacio Arruda, M.D., FRCPC